Pagham tie Stringers in knots

The Stringers of Hailsham Town entered the Lions’ Den on Tuesday night in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup - and were well and truly mauled by the Lions.
One of six - Pagham score against Hailsham / Picture: Roger SmithOne of six - Pagham score against Hailsham / Picture: Roger Smith
One of six - Pagham score against Hailsham / Picture: Roger Smith

Failing to register a single shot against Conor Kelly in the Pagham goal all evening and with the Lions taking advantage with two early goals, this game was almost over before it had begun.

With the home side knocking the ball around nicely right from the off they took the lead in the 10th minute with Grant Radmore bursting through the Hailsham defence to score easily.

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Radmore could have had a second minutes later but his clever header was scrambled over the bar. Six minutes on though it was 2-0, Sam Connolly finishing nicely, taking a good pass from Jake Heryet, and giving the keeper no chance from the edge of the box.

Pagham celebrate / Picture: Roger SmithPagham celebrate / Picture: Roger Smith
Pagham celebrate / Picture: Roger Smith

It was still all Pagham and Hailsham were indebted to their keeper Young who pulled off save after save, including a double from Heryet and Jared Rance to keep his team in the contest. Rance hit the post and Radmore was unlucky when a fierce half-volley was cleared off the line, but it stayed at 2-0 until the interval.

Radmore made it 3-0 two minutes into the second half with a brave low header from a Jamie Carroll cross as normal service was resumed.

Rance had a lovely 25-yard blast pushed over before it was 4-0 on 57 minutes when George Bingham nodded home a Jack Barnes corner.

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It was soon 5-0 when big central defender Conor Geoghegan headed home a Carroll cross from close in and then 6-0 with ten minutes left, sub Dave Crouch scoring a well-worked solo goal.

On the attack / Picture: Roger SmithOn the attack / Picture: Roger Smith
On the attack / Picture: Roger Smith

Crouch could have had two in two minutes, but his fierce shot came back off the post. Still, 6-0 will do nicely against a spirited but totally outclassed team from the other end of the county.

Pagham manager Kerry Hardwell said: "After Saturday’s loss and going out of the FA Vase, we asked the boys to match Saturday's performance with being more ruthless in front of goal and they did exactly that.

"The boys were excellent and moved the ball very well and the scoreline reflected this. Credit to Hailsham and their lads as they worked very hard throughout.

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"With five of Saturday’s substitutes all starting I was pleased for Grant Radmore scoring twice, and Dylan Jelley getting 90 minutes under his belt after six weeks off with injury.

"We now have four weeks off to recharge the batteries and I hope the boys can maintain fitness throughout this period. Ryan, Lou, Richie and I will continue to look at ways we can improve the team going into December."

Hardwell also praised Tuesday's referee Nick Blogg and his assistants.

Pagham: Conor Kelly, Ryan Hallett, Jack Barnes (Jamie Carroll), George Bingham, Conor Geoghegan, Dylan Jelley, Jared Rance, Ollie Hambleton, Grant Radmore, Sam Connolly (David Crouch) & Jake Heryet (Ash Hawkes). Subs not used: Tom Atkinson & Joe Bennett.